Washington – A recent ruling by the Supreme Court may give some companies leverage to opt out of a requirement of the new health care law due to religious objections. An estimated 50 businesses have filed lawsuits over being required to cover contraceptives for women in accordance with the health care law signed by President Barack Obama in 2010. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the justices ruled 5 to 4 that for-profit businesses can hold religious views in accordance with federal law.

As noted in the report, the high court’s ruling only applies to corporations controlled by a limited number of people in which there is practically no difference between the owners of the business and the company. It is also limited to coverage for contraceptives.

Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the majority opinion, is quoted by the AP as writing, “Our decision should not be understood to hold that an insurance-coverage mandate must necessarily fall if it conflicts with an employer’s religious beliefs.”